Buffett, whose investment firm Berkshire Hathaway owns Nebraska Furniture Mart, will attend a gala opening at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at the store, 1601 Village West Parkway. It will include entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and tours of the store. Officials also will auction several items, including a lunch for four with Buffett, a sheet of $2 bills signed by Buffett and Gates and a grandfather clock personalized by Buffett.

A similar Buffett benefit recently raised $250,000 for a San Francisco foundation that assists the homeless.

Tickets to the gala are $50.

Buffett, 72, of Omaha, Neb., also will attend a pre-gala reception that will be limited to 200 people. All attendees will be allowed to meet Buffett and have photos taken with him. Cost for that event is $500.

Tickets for either event may be purchased by calling (913) 402-1881.

KU also will present the first Rose Blumkin Award for Excellence during the gala to Carol Fabian, a nationally known breast cancer researcher and doctor at KU Med. The award is named for the founder of Nebraska Furniture Mart.